Threshold



1, 1939. P. R. OFVTEDAL ET AL 2,167,953

THRES HOLD Filed July 7, 1937 2 SheetS Sheet 1 v I 0 pH 1 l g 57 I @I 46 1 4: I j Z I l 4? I l K 1' i 5 i I I I g m 25- 5' If 27 A I! 5 i :1 i 1 5 69 i3? 3 .i I i i 28 1m. 1 54 6: I I 1-5 g- 1939- P. R. OFTEDAL ET AL 2,167,958

THRES HOLD Filed July '7, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Aug. 1, 1939 UNITED-- STATES FATENT OFFICE THRESHOLD Philip R. Oftedal and Donald 'G. Kingsley, Chicago, Ill.

Application July 7, 1937, Serial- No. 152,388

11 Claims.

The'invention relates generally to thresholds, and :more particularly to such devices intended primarily for use on exterioror outside door openings and which are adapted to cooperate with a the elements.

In the practical .use ofthresholds of this character it has been'found that in different sections of the country there is a marked variation in the varying frame dimensions usually encountered in' Another object is to provide sucha transversely adjustably threshold wherein one-adjustable element is arranged to provide an outer-door abut ment or stop face correspondingwith the varying dimensions of frame andoutr-door thickness normally encountered;

parent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a transverse vertical sectional View showing, in installed position, a threshold embodying the features of the invention in one of its forms.

Fig. 2 is afragmental plan view of the threshold taken generally along the line 22 of Fig. 1 so as to show some of the parts in section.

Figs. 3 and 4 are views similar to Figs. 1 and 2 respectively showing another form of the-invention;

While we have shown in the drawings and will herein describe in detail two embodiments of our invention, it is to be understood that we do not thereby intend to limit the 'invention to the specific forms disclosed, butaim to cover all modifications and alternative constructions falling so within thespirit-and scope-of the invention as expressed in the appended 'claims.

In the form selected for disclosure in Figs. 1 and 2 the invention isembodied-ma threshold 10, preferably formed byextrusion from a 'metal 55:

Weatherstrip to provide an eflective seal against- Other objects and advantages will become 'apr-' such-asbrass, and mounted inadoor opening .;so

(Cli20 64) as to overlie, conceal and protect a joint I i formed between the innerandrouter floor elements I2 and l3.

The door'opening'inwhich the threshold is mounted-isdefined by,a door frame l4 having verticaldoor-jambs I5'(only one shown) which along'their inner edges areformed with arabbetedgroove 16 sized to correspond with the desired thickness-of aninner or main door I l which is to be hingedthereon as at l8. At their outer V edges the-doorjambs l5are formed, preferably by means of a separate vertical member 19, to provide a similar groove 20-for an outer door such as a screen door- 2 lwhichis hinged thereto as at 22.

Inhvarious. sectionsof the country it is found that .thereds a ,substantial'variation in the dimensions :between the grooves 16 and. 20, and also a variationin the thickness of the outer doors 2 I-, so that-full-coverage of the floor space betweenthe inner. side. of the door jamb l5 and the outer face of a the frame member I 9 cannot be obtainedwith agivensize orwidth of threshold in all instances -vwithout resort tmmake-shift arrangementsorobjectionable projections of the threshold-in -many installations. To avoid-these objectionable results and yetprovide a universally applicableconstruction, the present threshold is constructed fromla plurality of inter-fitted members 25,--26 vand2l-which are so formedand related asto .providein .all oftheir varying-relationships aproperly calkedi and efficiently drained construction havingproperly and safely stepped treadsurfaces.

As hereinshown the member 25 constitutes the outer member of the threshold I lLandinthe installation of the threshold-is the first element to be placed in'position: The member'25 therefore constitutes the principalwater-drainage element of thethreshold andcomprises" in its preferred form,- an elongated" flat-plate 28 havingdownwardly extending mounting flanges 29 and 30 formedalong-its inner and outer edges. These flangesv 29 and 30 are preferably continuous throughout the length of the threshold and are formed with downwardly-facing grooves 29 and 30' therein. so as to facilitate and provide for the application of calking 3| along both edges-of the member 25. To secure the member 25 in position, a." pluralityof screws 32 extend tightly through' suitable holes formed in the member 25 adjacent to the transverse centerline thereof, and if desired, longitudinal calking and supporting ridges-"33- may be formed on the botto-m'of the plate portion 28 on opposite sides of the holes through which the screws 32 project.

The member 25 is, in accordance with the present invention, formed to provide a top surface 28 on the plate 28 which slopes outwardly of the door opening, whereby to insure drainage of water outwardly, and this result is preferably attained by forming the inner flange 3U slightly higher than the outer flange 29. In mounting the outer member 25, the member may be continued under the jam I5 to the depth of the grooves l6 and 20, if desired, or may be notched to conform with these grooves. The preferred position of the outer edge of the member 25 is shown herein as being substantially alined with the outer face of the frame member l9.

The next element of the threshold to be placed in position is the member 26 which, in the present form, constitutes the inner member of the I? and to cooperate therewith in providing an effective closure of the door opening. The member 26 preferably comprises a relatively fiat, elongated plate portion 36 which at its inner edge slopes upwardly at 36' for a short distance to merge with a fiat inner tread portion 31, the

V outer edge of which is located beneath the lowerinner corner of a lip 38 depending from the inner side of the door H. The inner tread portion 3'! is relatively narrow and merges with an inner mounting flange 39 which extends downwardly and inwardly at an angle to rest upon the floor |2 and thereby support the inner edge of the member 26. The flange 39 may have a calking groove 39 in its lower edge to cooperate with calking material 3|. The other or outer edge of the member 26 is preferably supported by resting the outer edge portion of itsplate 36 upon the upper inner surface of the outer member 25, and the member 26 as a whole is proportioned so that when so mounted, the upper facev of the plate 36 slopes outwardly of the door opening, or transversely outwardly toward the member 25.

To cooperate with lower edge of the door I! in providing an effective seal of the door opening,

the member 26 has an upstanding, longitudinally extending wall 40 located between the inner tread portion 31 and the outer edge of the member 26, and from the top of the wall 46 an upper tread wall 4| projects, extending inwardly to-,- ward the lip 38 to provide a projecting ledge 4|,

and outwardly as at 4|" to a point immediately.

over the outer edge of the plate portion 36. Thus the ledge 4| may cooperate with a Weatherstrip be drained by the Weatherstrip 42 into the trough 43. To dispose of this water, drainage ports44' are provided in the wall 40 at the level of the upper surface of the plate portion 36, whereby such water is drained forwardly onthe plate portion 36. At the outer edge of the plate portion 36 is an upstanding ledge 45 whichser'ves a supporting function in the mounting of the member 27, as will be hereinafter more fully' explained, and similar drain ports 46 are formed therein so as to discharge water from the trough onto the sloping surface 28 of the member 25,

over which surface such water drains 8.0 as to cation of the screw holes 48 is preferred in order to provide the maximum clearance outwardly of the screws 41. Thus by making the lower face of the plate portion 36 free from obstructions or projections as herein shown, the member 25 may be located inwardly a considerable distance from the relation herein shown, thereby permitting proper adjustment of the threshold to conform threshold, and is arranged to underlie the door with door frames which provide a smaller dimension between the groove I6 and the outer face of the outer door 2|. To preserve the proper relation of the member 26 in such adjustment, a horizontal surface 36" may be provided on the lower forward side thereof as shown in Fig. 1. v

The final step in the installation of the preswhich is to cooperate with the member 25 in providing a proper, gradually stepped tread inwardly and upwardly to the wall 4|. Another desirable ent threshold is the mounting of the third or intermediate member 27, a major function of function of the third member 2'| as herein shown,

is to provide an adjustable stop or abutment for the lower edge of the outer door 2|. To accomplish these purposes the member 21 preferably comprises an elongated relatively flat plate or tread portion 50 at the outer edge of which-a may be formed on the upper tread portion 4|"' to rest on the upper face of the plate 50, the I flange 53 and the ledge being spaced apart to provide a longitudinally extending slot of a vertical width corresponding to the thickness of the plate 50.

It being noted that the ledge 45 is spaced a substantial distance from the wall '40, it will be evident that the member 21 may be mounted in varying transverse positions within the limits of adjustment determined by this spacing, and in practice the member 21 is located so that its forward flange 5| corresponds with the rear face of the groove 26, thereby providing a properly positioned outer door stop. The member 21 is fixed in this position by means such as screws 54 which extend through countersunk holes 55 in the plate 56 and are secured as by being screwed into threaded holes 56 which are drilled and tapped in the plate 28'of the member 25 after the transverse relationship of the members 25 and 21' has been determined. I

To facilitate drainage of water from the top are provided therein to permit water to pass in the lower edge of the flange 5|, which edge may for the purpose of securing a transverse locking action be grooved assatal59zto provide sharp edges forengagement with ltheiplate 28.

Present experiences-indicates ;.that a range of adjustment "ofthe member 21 to position itslouter flange 5i atl any selected distance between 3 and 3% inches from the edgemof- :the tread 4 I is suflicient to adapt the. thresholds'for most installations; .whilez-the members "-2 5 :and :26 should beadjustable tosprovide for .varyingthe over-all width of the thresholdbetween 6% al1d'7 inches Accordingly, th'eembodiment. disclosed herein, andcillustrated fulli size in the drawings, has beeni shown in .Figs. 1 and .2 .as being proportionednto provide for adjustment between these limits. It will be: understood, however,

' thatithis .proportioning,is merely illustrative and may be varied as. dictated zby marketing. ex-

perience' or.) changes .\.in building: practice.

As-illustrative of a slightly different range of adjustment; another form of itheinvention has been illustrated insfull size in 'Figs. 3 and 4, this secondiembodiment ==ofl the-invention being sproportioned to provide for adjustment of the overall .dimensionl between. 6%" and. 7% inches, and

for adjustment of =the screen :door stop positioning-between 3V and;3%iinches:from the outer edgeeof 'theupper tread.

This: second form. of the; invention is illustratedinlFigs-B and 4 in associationtwith a door frame .14 'oflthe samesize and construction shown inuFigsnv 1 .=.and .2,1 andthe. threshold comprises three inter-fitted and adjustably related.:mem=- bers= :2 5a, 2Ea..1and 2102 which '-areimounted and adjustedre'latively '?to :the :door opening "in generally the samecmannerlzasnthe-corresponding elements of Figs. 1 and 2. The outer member 25a is similarly formed with a sloping plate 28a, supported on inner and outer grooved flanges 29m and 30a,.and secured in place b'y'screws 32a.

;.On opposite sides of the screwxholes, longitudinally extending supporting ribs: 33a may be formed, and preferably a supplemental supporting flange 30b is provided outwardly of the inner flange 730a. Above the flange 301) a supporting ledge45a is formed on the member 25a to perform the function of the ledge45 of: the other embodiment, a similar port 46a being provided thereinn.

The t second ..or inner :member, 26a; has a :main plate :36a with anupstandingwall 400,, an inner treadrand can inner..supporting;.flange 39a generally like thelformbf-Figs1,5withl this exception.

however, that the tread 3lais narrow and slopes inwardly. andwthe screwholes dfla -varevformed .in-th'e-bottom-of the-trough-43a rather than in the-inner tread; An upper-tread M a is also provided;- carried" on-the upstanding-wall Mia, the

wall dila-forming part of the'trough'43a and having drain ports 44atherein.-

In -'the form -illustrated* in= Figs: 3 --and 4, the plate 36a terminates short of orinwardly of theouter edge-ofthe upper tread-Ma; the-supporting ledge lSwbeingfQ'rmed, as above pointed variousetransyersely adjusted; relations,;or. a flat bottomsuriace may be-provided onthe plate 36a for this purposes The memberu'fla. is, substantially the same as the memberr21: 'of-,Fig; 1,'. and rests with itsv groovedl and ported .outer .flange l5 l a on the plate 28a-,=.;.the. innerz'edge. portion of the plate 50av restingaontthe-lledge, 45a"; A similar screw 54a holdslthe member 21a. inposition. The threshold, intheLformlillustratedinFigs.,3 and 4, is such as toembody .allE.the elements of iadjustability, full floor protection; and, properzdrainage which are l embodied nxthecform of.-;Figs.. 1 and 2, and in addition is;. so -formed..and. constructed as to facilitatesextrusion .of .the parts, thereby: providing greater economyinimanufacture.

Fromithe foregoing .itiwill. be evident that the present iinvention provides-anew and improved thresholdzwhioh; is adaptable 1 to" meet varying dimensionsioinrdoor frames and doors, whereby tozinsureginu its. various installations, an effective protectingaction; together with neatness in appearance. The arrangement is such that proper drainage .is'iinsuredin-every instance while its adjustability permits the :dealer to satisfy the needs. of his. customers without excessive stocking requirements:

We :claim as. our invention:

1. 4 An'adjustable threshold comprising, in com-. bination, an elongated outer member comprising a -flatr:plate with-grooved mounting flanges =projectingrdownwardlyxalong its opposite edges; said support th'eflat plate of saidinner member with aidefin'it'e.outwardslope; said inner member being adapted to be secured to the floor and being formed .with ansupstanding wall intermediate its edges anditcooperating with.the plate of'tsaid member. to :form ra;.trough,= an=upper tread wall formed on the top of said wall and projecting inwardly over said .itrough; and outwardly to the outer edge of said inner member; the outer edge off said! inner :member having an upstanding ledgezformedithereon'and'the outer edge of said upper treadzhaving a downwardly projecting.

flange. extending a toward but terminating short ofusaid le'dge to :define with said. ledge a horizontally extending: slot; and an intermediate member :comprising an elongated flat plate member with'lone edge adapted to'project into said slo't and with a downwardly I projecting flange along itsother edge adapted to rest on the flat portion of said outer member, said inner member having drain ports formed in said upstanding wall andledgeto dischargewater from said trough onto said sloping plate of said outer member,-and the' flange of said intermediate member havingadownwardly facing notch in its lower edge providing-for drainage of such'water from beneath said intermediate member.

2. A transversely adjustable threshold comprising, in combination, an outer member comprising an elongated flat plate adapted to extend along the floor across a door opening and having inner and outer flanges projecting downwardly along its opposite edges, said inner flange being higher than said outerfiange whereby to position said plate with a definite outward slope, and an elongated inner member having a drainage trough formed therein intermediate its inner and outer edges and being adapted along its outer edge to rest upon the inner edge of said outer member, said inner member having a downwardly extending flange along its inner edge to rest on the floor and support said inner member with the bottom of said trough above the level of said outer member, said inner member being formed with waterdischarge ports from said trough onto said outer member, and said inner member having holes therein adjacent to its inner edge whereby said inner member may be secured in position relatively to said outer member.

3. A transversely adjustable self -draining threshold comprising, in combination, inner and outer members, said outer members having inner and outer supporting flanges along its opposite edges and a top surface arranged to slope toward the outer edge of said outer member, said inner member having an upwardly facing trough formed therein and an upper tread wall bordering the outer edge of said trough, said inner member having a supporting flange along its inner edge and being adapted along its outer edge to rest on the inner edge of said outer member, said inner member being formed with drain ports to discharge water from said trough onto said sloping top surface of said outer member, and an intermediate member adapted to be positioned over said outer member and formed to provide an outer door-abutment spaced inwardly from the outer ;,edgeof said outer member and also formed to provide intermediate tread surfaces between said abutment and said upper tread at a level above said sloping surface and below said upper tread, said intermediate member being formed to provide ports for the passage of water outwardly along said sloping surface.

4. A threshold as defined in claim 3 wherein said intermediate member is supported in part by said outer member and in part by said inner member.

5. A threshold as defined in claim 3 wherein said intermediate tread surface is formed with drain ports discharging onto the sloping surface of said outer member.

6. A threshold as defined in claim 3 wherein said intermediate member is supported conjointly by said inner and outer members and wherein the forward edge of said upper tread wall is supported on said intermediate member.

'7. A threshold comprising, in combination, three inter-fitting elongated members adapted to extend across a door space, a first one of said members constituting an outer member having a top surface arranged to slope outwardly of the door opening when said member is mounted on the floor, a second one of said members constituting an inner member and having an up-' wardly facing drainage trough adapted to be positioned under an inside door in such a door opening, said second one of said members being adapted for mounting in varying transverse relationships to said first member as determined by the dimensions of the door frame and being formed to discharge water from said trough onto said top surface, and the third one of said members being adapted to be mounted over said first member in varying transverse relationships to provide a stop face for an outer door and also to provide an intermediate tread surface elevated above the surface of said first member.

8. A transversely adjustable self-draining threshold comprising, in combination, an outer member having a plate with inner and outer supporting flanges extending downwardly along its opposite edges and an upwardly projecting ledge extending longitudinally thereof parallel to but spaced outwardly of the inner edge thereof, said ledge having a drain port therein, an inner member comprising a plate adapted at its outer edge to rest on the plate of said outer member inwardly of said ledge and having a supporting flange along its inner edge, means on said inner member cooperating with the plate thereof to form a trough and an upper tread bordering the.v

outer edge of said trough, an intermediate member comprising a plate having a flange at its outer edge adapted to rest on said outer member and being adapted at its inner edge to rest on said ledge, said flange of said intermediate member being formed to cooperate with said outer mem-.

ber to provide a drain port for outward discharge of water from the top of said outer member, said inner member being formed with a drain port discharging from said trough onto said outer member.

9. A threshold as defined in claim 8 wherein said upper tread at its outer edge rests upon the plate of said intermediate member.

10. In a threshold, the combination of an inner member defining the inner edge of the threshold, an outer member defining the outer edge of the threshold, and an intermediate member formed to define an outer stop for an outer door, said three members being formed to cooperate in providing a gradually stepped tread surface, and

said inner member having an upwardly facing drainage trough formed therein and having an upper tread bordering the outer side of the trough, said members being formed for mounting in different transverse relationships whereby to vary the transverse over-all width of the threshold, and an intermediate member. adapted to overlie said outer member and in part to underlie said upper tread, said intermediate member being adapted-to be adjustably related in a transverse direction and in a generally horizontal plane with respect to both said inner and outer members.

PHILIP R. OFTEDAL DONALD G. KINGSLEY. 

